By Joyce Eisele
MARSHALLTOWN, Iowa (July 26, 2024) – A large crowd was on hand for the annual running of the Dale DeFrance Memorial Friday at Marshalltown Speedway.
One hundred sixty cars in five classes packed the pits for the prestigious race. Extra money was also on the line in all classes that saw the night celebrate the patriarch of the DeFrance Family, Dale DeFrance, as well as the entire DeFrance racing family.
The Friesen Performance IMCA Northern SportMod feature ran first.
Jenae Gustin wasted no time in taking her ride from the fourth starting spot to the front by lap two. She was challenged at times early by pole sitter Eddie Ingram and late in the race Brayton Carter threw his hat into the ring in an attempt to catch Gustin.
It was to no avail however, as Gustin had her sights set on winning her grandpa Dale’s memorial race and would take the checkers to the delight of the crowd, an emotional win. Carter took the runner-up spot with 16th place starter Cam Reimers finishing third.
IMCA Sunoco Stock Cars were up next for their 24-lap main event.
Cayden Carter jumped to the lead from his pole starting position when the race went green. Dallon Murty, fourth place starter, made his move early by taking to his favored topside of the High Banks and quickly moved into second.
On lap 14, Murty made the slide in turn four work for him, and he took over the lead. The only yellow of the race would fly at lap 17. The restart was no issue for Murty as he sailed off once again to the lead and the eventual win. Fifth place starter Jimmy Gustin ran at the front of the pack the entire race and finished second. Third place went to Jeff Steenbergen, who charged from 20th starting.
This was also a fitting finish on the night with both Murty and Gustin being part of the DeFrance family.
After the celebration of Justin Kay’s second straight SLMR win at Marshalltown it was time for the 34-lap Friesen Performance IMCA Modified feature.
Jeremy Mills took the lead when the race went green. Tim Ward started third and was leading at lap two. It would be a lead he would never relinquish as he sailed around the High Banks.
There was some moving and shaking going on behind him, however, in the race that went caution-free. Zack VanderBeek, in his own Vander Built chassis, battled with one of his employees, Colorado native, Tripp Gaylord for much of the race, with VanderBeek taking second, and Gaylord going third.
The IMCA Sunoco Hobby Stock 24-lap feature put a nightcap on the night’s racing program.
Visitor for the night, Shane Richardson of Wapello sat on the pole with Eric Knutson to his outside. Knutson grabbed the immediate lead with Calvin Dhondt in second as the first lap was scored.
An unusual spin for Dhondt before lap two was in the books found him falling far back in the field as all cars avoided him and the race was not yellow flagged. Knutson continued his run at the front with challenges by ninth place starter David McCalla and 11th place starter Solomon Bennett chasing him.
A caution came out with just two laps remaining, Knutson still in command, and McCalla and Bennett, second and third, respectively.
The final laps found Knutson staying as the leader of the pack and go home to the checkers flying and the win. McCalla kept hold of the runner-up spot and Dhondt rallied from his early mishap and came home in third.
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